Cobh Ramblers avenged two league defeats at the hands of Monaghan United when they deservedly defeated the Gortakeegan side 3-0 at the Ulster venue. Monaghan were the better team early on, but the visitors gradually got into their stride and were a different team in the second half.

Cobh twice came close in the opening minutes of the second half before they broke the deadlock in the 54th minute. Richard Fleming's cross from the left was just missed by Terry Eviston, but Liam O'Connor was on hand to score from close range.

Cobh went back on the defensive after this and were lucky when Derek O'Neill missed an easy chance for United. They put the issue beyond doubt in the 70th minute when Tony Izzi set up Paul Coughlan for number two and Izzi, himself, put the icing on the cake with a third six minutes from the end.

Monaghan United: Grace; Gough, Girvan, O'Callaghan, Byrne, King, Mooney, Brien, O'Neill, Shearer, Flanagan. Sub: Douglas for Shearer (38 mins).

Cobh Ramblers: Kee; Kelly, Murphy, D O'Connor, W Byrne, Eviston, Dalton, Coughlan, Fleming, Izzi, L O'Connor. Subs: Ward for Fleming (74 mins).

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).